Tool handle switch with interlock

Claim 1

A double-pole tool handle switch comprising: an insulating housing; a return spring biased switch actuator mounted to said housing for reciprocal movement; a plunger extending from said switch actuator within said housing; a spring biasing said plunger and said plunger being resiliently depressible against the force of said bias spring; a pair of connector members mounted in said housing and having exposed terminal lugs adapted to be connected to an external circuit; a movable contact actuator block having a double-incline camming surface comprising opposite inclines meeting at a high point arranged for engagement by said plunger; double-pole on-off butt contacts having a controlled amount of wipe comprising a pair of movable contacts carried by said actuator block and being pressed against the respective connector members and sliding therealong and remaining in contact therewith throughout the movement of said actuator block, and a pair of stationary contacts mounted in said housing and having flexible cantilever portions extending into overlapping relation to the respective movable contacts and biased to a small inclination toward said movable contacts from a plane substantially perpendicular to the path of movement thereof; and actuation of said switch actuator causing said plunger to slide up one incline of said camming surface and, after passing over said high point, to cause snap-action movement of said actuator block while said plunger acts on the other incline and said movable contacts remain in sliding contact with said connector members thereby to cause said movable contacts to contact said stationary contacts and to move a small distance further, flexing said stationary contacts against the bias therein to cause a controlled amount of wipe therebetween.